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About A Primer of Biblical Hebrew Poetry
An interview with David Emanuel
EV: What led you to write this book? What problem or issue(s) are you seeking to address?
DE: This book addresses a gap I encountered during my early study of biblical Hebrew: the absence of a single, accessible volume on the subject and the lack of a clear pathway for transitioning from an intermediate grammar to the translation and interpretation of poetic texts. Most of the books to which I was directed were limited to specific areas of the broader field of poetry and poetics. As a result, I would read books on metaphor, and parallelism, imagery, allusion, etc., but nothing encompassing all aspects of poetry. Another goal was to “demystify” the idea of Hebrew poetry. Frequently, in my learning days, whenever poetry was mentioned, eyes would glaze over, and people would say, “Oh no, leave that alone, its’ poetry . . .” I would love for all students to feel comfortable tackling poetry in the Bible without fear.
EV: Who’s your target audience, and what are you most hoping they hear from it?
DE: The primary audience for this book is college students engaged in the study of biblical Hebrew. It is also intended, however, to function as a reference tool for established scholars. Because the majority of examples are presented in both English and Hebrew, the volume will additionally serve pastors and interested lay readers seeking a deeper understanding of biblical poetry.
EV: Did you have any “aha” moments while writing the book?
DE: Not really an “aha” moment, but on a more personal note, the research and writing process proved genuinely rewarding and even enjoyable. Additionally, and unexpectedly, completing the project deepened my love and appreciation for biblical poetry—an outcome that was neither anticipated nor sought, but welcomed.
EV: What was the most challenging part of the book to write?
DE: One of the most challenging parts of the book was limiting the amount of information that I included. The temptation was to include details on Ancient Near Eastern poetry and extra-biblical allusion. This could be included in a later edition of the book, but I did not want students to be distracted from the poetry specific to the Hebrew Bible.
EV: What kind of seminary/church classes should assign your book?
DE: The book is designed to be introduced following students’ first semester of Hebrew and to serve as a continuing resource throughout their second year of instruction. Since many introductory Hebrew grammars draw on isolated poetic verses as examples, early exposure to the foundational principles of Hebrew poetry is both natural and pedagogically advantageous.
EV: What contribution would you like the book to make?
DE: This book aims to make two primary contributions to the field. First, it seeks to move students beyond the mere identification of poetic techniques toward the more productive question: “How does this poetic feature contribute to meaning?” Much of the existing scholarly literature remains descriptive in orientation; advancing the field requires a more consistently functional approach. Second, the book offers a systematic methodology accessible to beginning students, equipping them to construct an exegetical argument grounded in the analysis of Hebrew poetry.
About the Author
David Emanuel (PhD, Hebrew Bible, Hebrew University) is an associate professor of Hebrew Bible and Hebrew Language at Westmont College. Dr. Emanuel’s deep love for the Bible and Bible lands is reflected in his educational website (www.ezraseventen.com).